Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Whitney Houston in Discussions to Remake ‘Sparkle’

 

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Whitney Houston is in the spotlight again.  The R&B singer is reportedly in talks with Sony Pictures about remaking the 1976 musical drama Sparkle, which was inspired by the story of the 1960s R&B musical group the Supremes.

Set in the late 1950s, Sparkle’tells the story of the Williams sisters, three church-singing women from Harlem, NY who face challenges and triumphs as they work to establish their musical careers.   If Houston signs on, she will play singer Jordin Sparks’ mother, who is non-supportive of her daughter’s career.  Jordin will have the lead role in the movie as Sparkle.

The Hollywood Reporter says Mara Brock Akil, creator of The Game wrote the script, and her husband, Salim Akil, will direct the movie.  Salim Akil also directed Jumping the Broom.  Comedian and actor Mike Epps is also slated to star as Satin, a stand-up comedian who marries one of the Williams sisters and later becomes addicted to drugs.

Houston has wanted to remake the movie for a while, and was previously slated to remake it through Warner Brothers Productions with the late singer, Aaliyah.  If Houston signs on, the movie will be her first return to big screen since her 1996 movie, The Preacher’s Wife. 

Houston has also starred in big screen movies such as The Bodyguard and Waiting to Exhale, and the television movie, Cinderella.  Over her career, she has won 2 Emmys, 6 Grammys, 30 Billboard Music Awards, and 22 American Music Awards.  Houston’s remake of Dolly Parton’s song “I Will Always Love You” became the best-selling single by a female artist in music history.

Shani K. Collins is a freelance writer.  You may visit her at www.shanicollins.com

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